Honda Fit EV Gets EPA Best 118 MPGe Rating, 82 Mile Range

The Honda Fit EV is now officially the most fuel efficient vehicle on the road with an 118 MPGe rating from the EPA. This figure, which translates to 29 kilowatt hours per 100 miles, bests the Mitsubishi i-MiEV (or just i here in the US) by 6 points. The EPA estimates the annual cost to use of the Fit EV at $500.

2013 Honda Fit EV Interior

The Fit EV’s 92 kilowatt (123 horsepower) coaxial electric motor generates 189 ft-lb of torque, and is teamed to a chassis with a fully-independent suspension and a driver-selectable 3-mode electric drive system adapted from the CR-Z Sport Hybrid.

Other past notable EPA ratings include the Nissan LEAF at 73 miles/99 MPGe and the Ford Focus EV at 76 miles/105 MPGe.

“Just as important as the industry-leading fuel-efficiency and fast recharging time, as a Honda, the 2013 Fit EV will be an absolute kick to drive,” said Steve Center, vice president of the American Honda Environmental Business Development Office.

Unfortunately, the little 20 kWh Honda is not a car for the masses. It is only available as a lease ($389), and has a MSRP of $36,625 (if you could purchase it), and only in select regions. California (naturally) and Oregon (hmm?). Honda says that it will produce around 1,100 copies of this car, firmly establishing it as a CARB compliance car. Honda has stated plans to put the car out on the “east coast” sometime in 2013.

Pretty impressive efficiency numbers. 84mpc from a 20kWh pack is excellent. Since it’s a short term lease only compliance car, I bet Honda is squeezing as much out of the pack as possible and not worrying about long life or degradation so lets say they are using 90% of the battery it’s still only 18kWh’s usable. Thats 4.6 mi/kWh achieved during the EPA 5 cycle tests – better than any other EV has scored to date.
I’m expecting the BMW i3 to be around 5 mi/kWh when it undergoes it’s EPA certification next summer – can’t wait to see where how it scores.

I really don’t think they would use the entire pack. Fully charging or discharging, even for just a few months would probably have an adverse effect. Plus, there is the risk of overcharging if you can charge to 100%. As you charge the cells aren’t all charging at the same rate and need to balance out – that’s why EV’s slow down charging at the end to a trickle and why DC quick charge can’t charge to more than 80% – for fear of overcharging. I can’t see them safely using more than 90% of the total capacity.

Hi Statik,
I like the new site you and the Lyle have put together. Lots of timely info – very interesting to (X)EV fans.
Gm-Volt.com has gone off the wheels.
Please keep Greeniac opinion to a minimum. The science is not consensual.
Peace be with you.

I do wonder why Honda is dragging their feet to the EV party. I have to think that they don’t have enough confidence in either: the market, current battery tech, or they were hoping to debut with an up-coming battery? Thanks in-part to Honda’s fuel cell program; the Fit EV sounds like a respectable vehicle. I am keeping my ears open for more news about the BMW I3RX. The I3RX is closest to what I would like to have in an EV. We will continue to save-up for now and hope the tax credits continue.

Since Honda is using LTO cells, they are not worried about cycle life, so why not squeeze out everything possible? Working backwards from 29kWh/100 miles and assuming an 85% charger efficiency and 92% battery efficiency, that’s a usable 18.6kWh, or a 93% DOD. As for dipping their toe in the water instead of jumping in head first, I’m sure it’s purely an economical decision. Their battery pack is still very expensive and this strategy allows them to meet CARB ZEV requirements, gain valuable information about their design and components, all without exposing too much capital. You see others (like Fiat) kicking and screaming about having to make a small amount of EVs. Honda has made it such that the lease price at least covers the price of the battery, but they are not betting the farm on it like Nissan is. That being said, I wish they would offer them for sale, or at least in other markets (like Austin, Texas). The next platform changes is slated for 2014, so perhaps we’ll be able to purchase a Honda Fit EV (with fast charge capability) around ~2015 for something south of $30k.

Are we sure that we have apples to apples here? Is the Honda tested to a different standard than the cars that have come before (the playing field will be level soon)? I’m not sure I see the special sauce here.